Kennewick Becomes the Regional Telephone Hub
After intense competition, the Pacific States Telephone Company moves its central valley headquarters from Pasco to Kennewick, citing superior infrastructure.
By the first of next week, the main office of the Pacific States Telephone and Telegraph company will be centered in Kennewick and this city officially designated as headquarters of that company in the Columbia River valley. For several days, workmen have been busy stringing new wires, installing switchboards and making such other changes as are necessary in transferring the Pacific States' central station from Pasco to this city. The company’s headquarters here will be in the building of the Kennewick Valley Telephone company, where three additional long-distance operators will be employed. Manager A. F. Brown explained that hereafter all long-distance calls from as far west as Sunnyside, east as Lind, and south as Wallula would be handled through the Kennewick office. The change, entailing an expenditure of more than $1,000, was decided upon after careful investigation by traffic managers. Records show most long-distance business in this territory originates in Kennewick, and the local company’s modern equipment, offering battery power and other conveniences, gave it a competitive edge over Pasco.
“For instance if a party in Prosser wishes to talk to North Yakima, the operator at Kennewick is called and the connection will be made through this office.”
This 1915 corporate relocation highlights the perennial rivalry between Kennewick and Pasco for regional dominance. Today, the infrastructure battle has shifted from switchboards to digital connectivity and data centers, yet the struggle to serve as the 'central station' of the Tri-Cities remains a primary driver of civic identity.
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